Stapling apparatus



Nov. 6, 1951 Filed Dec. 2, 1947 J. W. WIEGNER ETAL STAPLING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS JOSEPH W.W|EGNER EDWARD T. GILDA JOHN H.,KLASEY BRADY E. BARNES ATTORNEY 1951 J. w. WIEGNER ET AL 2,574,202

STAPLING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 12, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS JOSEPH W.WIEGNER EDWARD T. GILDA F|G.5. JOHN H.KLASEY BRADY E. BARNES @faw ATTOQNEY 1951 J. w. WIEGNER ET AL 2,574,202

STAPLING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 12, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG.9.

INVENTORS vEDWARD T. GILDA JOHN H. KLASEY BRADY EBARNES ATTQRNEY JOSEPH W. WIEGNER 6, 1951 J. w. WIEGNER ETAL 2,574,202

STAPLING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 12, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I J67 J O /e 46 37 40 I 45 42 INVENTORS JOSEPH W.WIEGNER EDWARD T. GILDA JOHN H. KLASEY FIGIO. BRADYE. BARNES ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 6, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFF Delaware hematite December 12, 947, sefiai Nd. 7911380 12 claims. (c1. 1-13) This invention relates to stapling apparatus and consists particularly in a novel automatic r'n'achine for conveying work units, such as cardboard boxes, into operative alignment with the stapler machine or machines, automatic means for operating the stapler or staplers, and suitable safety devices. 7 I V stapling machines have been devised which may be applied to the outside of a pasteboard container for s'tapling down the fi'aps. However, heretofore, thesemachines have been portable so that the stapling'operation' is cumbersome and slow. Moreover; the containers have had to be handled Wholly by hand: I I Y Accord ingly, the main object of the present invention is to provide novel apparatus for automatically performing many of the operations incident to stapling box flaps and thereby greatly facilitating and speeding the stapling operation.

' This object and other more detailed objects "hereafter appearing are attained by'the apparatus illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which I I II I I I Fig, 1" is a top view of the apparatus.

Fig. 2 is a side View and section thereof taken on line 2+2 of Fig. I. I I I Fig. 3 is a section through the lower part of the apparatus and taken substantially on line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Fig.4 isa plan view of the structure in Fig. 3,

but with the work table removed. I

Fig 5 is a detaiL vertical section through a portion of one of the stapling machines.

Fig. 6 is a partial section looking substantially from the section line 6-"-6 of Fig. 2. I

Fig. 7 is a detail plan viev and section looking substantially from the line 'i-'-1 of Fig. 3 and showing other parts of the power drive mechanism'. I

Fig." 8 is a section taken substantially on line 8'8 of Fig. 1. I I

Fig. 9 is a detail plan view taken from the same plane as Fig; 6', but showing a modification.

' Fig. 10 is a wiring diagram.

" The apparatus is provided with a circular work table l having substantial legs II and bracing l2 and [3. The table is centrally cut out to form an opening which receives a circular plate 14' forming the central portion of the table. Plate I4 is centrally provided with bearing and support structure, generally indicated at (Fig. 8) by means of which, the plate is journalled upon a central pivot post IS resting on framing brace l3. A series of brackets 20 are annularly positioned around the periphery of plate. M and 2 support ring Z l having peripherally arranged work receiving pockets 22. Ring 21 is detachably secured to brackets 20 by means of bolts 23 so that the ring may be readily removed and another having work receiving pockets of different size substituted therefor.

Supported on top of post f6 by means of a cup 25' and adjusting screw 26 is. a spider having arms 2? which, at their extremities, carry a ring 28 which forms a top pressure plate for work units received within pockets 22'. This plate is discontinued at one side of the machine to accommodate stapling machines 39 and 3| firmly mounted on the outer work table H) by means of upright 32 and cross plates, as at 33; These machines are positioned so as to drive staples'into a work unit;v such as the p'asteb'oard: box 34 shown in Fig. 2', which is moved into operative alignment therewith. A'rnormally open, work actuated switch and its actuator 35a are mounted on and adjacent the inner face o'f'sta'pier supporting upright 32 so as to be actuated by a} work'unit which is moved into the operative position of the container 34' in Fig. 2; This switch is connected in the stapler operating circuit; as will be described hereafter.

Resting on the floor beneath rotatably mounted table disk I 3 is a: gearhousing 31; (Figs. 3, 4', and 7) having a drive shaft 31 and driven shaft 38 proje'ctingupwardly therefrom. Drive shaft 37 is connected through sheave wheel 39, clutch 4D, belt 3|, and sheave wheel 42 to a driving motor 43 mounted on the table framing adjacent the gear housing: A solenoid Ed is connected by a bell crank 45" to the clutch for disengaging the.

same when the solenoid is energized.

Driven shaft 38 operates a step by step table drive of the escape'ment type and also a box ejecting apparatus as best shown-in Figs. sand 4. A plate 46 having a cam slot 41 is keyed to driven shaft 38' above the gear housing, as is a; crank arm 48 having aroller 49 at the free extremity thereof. A series of lugs 50 having semicircular concavities in their outer faces are attached to the under surface of rotatable plate M in position to cooperate withc'rank arin 48 in the inanner of an escapement. This is best illustrated in Fig. 4 iron} which it will be observed that; assuming counterclockwise rotation of shaft 38 and cam disk 45', roller 49, which has just emerged froma space between two mes 56-, will move about 1 88"" to'the point where it r' eriters a space between succeeding lugs 581 During this movement; an arcuate enlargement 52' time fixed end of crank arm 58 enters a; semicircular concavity ii in one of the lugs 50 and remains there until roller 49 is again ready to enter a space between lugs 50 to produce intermittent table motion. While enlargement 52 is rotating in a concavity the table is effectively locked 5 in stationary position. As the roller moves into a space between lugs 50, looking enlargement 52 leaves the concavity 5| and table [4 is propelled clockwise during the reciprocation of the roller in the space. Intermittent or indexing table rotation thus results from continuous rotation of arm 48.

Disk 46 has a reduced peripheral portion 53 which permits closing of a normally closed switch 54 with its stem bearing against the disk periphery, during the portion of the disk and crank movement which rotates the table. This switch is in the table release circuit, as will be described hereafter.

Pivotally mounted on the table framing at one 0 side of cam disk 46 is a bell crank 55 having one arm pinned to a link 58, in turn pinned to a link 51 which slides through a guide 58 on the framing. The latter link has a small rollerv59 at its extremity which rides in cam groove 41. The free arm of bell crank 55 forms a box ejector pad 6|! which lies beneath one of the work receiving pockets 22 during the period when the rotatable table is locked. During this portion of the movement of crank arm 48 and disk 46, roller 59 is 0 riding in the indented portion 41a of the cam groove so as to pull inwardy on links 51 and 56 and rotate bell crank 55 counterclockwise so as to elect a work unit from the corresponding work receiving pocket.

Portion 6| at the pinned end of link 51 is somewhat enlarged so as to actuate and close normally open microswitch 62 as bell crank 55 starts its ejecting motion. This switch is in the stapler circuit and causes stapling if a succeeding box 4 34 is in position to c ose switch 35. This occurs during the last portion of the disk cycle while the table is locked. Switch 62 reopens at the end of the ejector action, whereupon the next 53 of rotation of the disk permits return of the. stapler arms to their rest positions before reclosing of switch 54.

Each of the stapler machines has a normally closed microswitch 64 mounted on its outer wall in position to be engaged andopened by stapler arm 65 when it returns to its normal rest position. This switch is in the table release circuit.

A master switch 56 is shown in the three phase power circuit 61 (Fig. 10) and a manual switch 68 is connected in a direct by-pass circuit between the source of power and c utch actuating solenoid 44. 7

Each staper mach ne 30. 3| has atachwi thereto a pneumatic operating cylinder 10 connected to suitable compressed air piping, shown in part at H, and an air pressure controlling valve 12 and operating solenoid l3 therefor (Fig. 10) in a casing 14. These solenoids are connected to power through switches 62 and 35 and wires 11,15, and 1G. 05

The operation of the ap aratus is best d scribed in connection with the circuit diagrams in Fig. 10. When a work unit, such as a container 34, moves against actuator 35a, switch 35 is closed. Cosing of switch 62 by the ejector action com- 70 pletes the stapler valve circuit causing all the stapler machines to drive staples. This, of course, occurs while the table is locked. When the stapler arms have had suflicient time to return to their rest positions (53 of disk movement) switch 54 is closed. If any stapler safety switch 64 remains closed, indicating faulty stapler operation, solenoid 44 will be energized through wires 18, 19, and to disengage clutch 39, 40 and prevent table movement. If, however, the stapiers are functioning normally, roller 49 will immediately reenter a space between two of the lugs 5| to resume table rotation. Table motion may be manually stopped with the use of switch 68.

In the modification in Fig, 9, the box throw-out ports 56, 55, and 60 are eliminated and an inclined bar substituted for ejecting the boxes. The bar is secured to table [0 by suitable brackets. Switch 62 (Fig. 3) and its actuator 6|, 5'! are retained.

The above described apparatushas a wide range of utility, because of the readily removable conveyor ring 2|. Furthermore, the stapling operations are greatly facilitated and speeded while safety features offer adequate protection to the various parts. The invention may be modified as will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit thereof and the exclusive use of all modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims is contemplated.

We claim:

1. Stapling apparatus comprising a base having a pivot post, a table centrally journalled on said post, circular structure on said table forming work receiving pockets, a stapling machine mounted adjacent said structure, a pressure plate supported on said post above said structure, a. power drive for rotating said table to move said pockets, successively, into operative alignment with said machine, and a device mounted in position to be actuated by a work unit moved into alignment with said stapling machine for initiating operation of said machine to drive a staple.

2. Stapling apparatus comprising a rotatably mounted table, circular structure on said table forming work receiving pockets, a stapling machine mounted adjacent said structure, a step'by step power drive for said table comprising a rotating crank and spaced elements annularly disposed on said table for cyclical engagement and actuation by said crank, and complementary locking structure on said crank and said table cooperable between successive engagements of said annularly disposed elements by said crank for locking said table.

3. Stapling apparatus comprising a conveyor table having a work receiving pocket, a stapling machine mounted adjacent said table and having a driving member, a first safety element and actuator means therefor includ ng said driving member for moving said safety elercent to its "p13 ratusstoppi'g position responsive to shifting of said emb'r from its normal rest position, control means for said stapling machine including a first control positioned to be automatically shifted by a work unit in one of said pockets, as it moves into alignment with said machine under normal conditions, a power drive for rotating said table intermittently, including a clutch, a second safety element, an operative connection between said second element and said drive for shifting said second element to its apparatusstopping position when said drive is operating and about to move saidtable, and means operatively interconnecting said clutch and said safety elements for releasing said clutch when both of said safety elements are in said apparatus-stopping positions simultaneously.

4. Stapling apparatus comprising a rotatably mounted table having work receiving pockets, a stapling machine mounted adjacent said table, a step-by-step power drive for said table, said drive and table including cooperating means for locking said table between intermittent movements thereof, and means to initiate operation of said stapling machine under normal conditions comprising an element actuable by a work unit in one of said pockets and responsive to movement of said unit into alignment with said machine, and a second element actuable by said drive coincidentally with the table locking positioning of said drive.

5. Stapling apparatus as described in claim 4 in which said stapling machine control means further includes a second control actuable by said power drive, said machine controls cooperating, when a work unit is properly positioned in one of said pockets for stapling and when said drive moves beyond its table moving positioning, for operating said stapling machine.

6. Stapling apparatus as described in claim 4 further including a plurality of said stapling machines and a plurality of said first safety elements actuated by the driving members thereof, said second safety element cooperating with any of said first safety elements, as described in claim 16, to release said clutch and stop said table.

7. Stapling apparatus comprising a conveyor table having a work receiving pocket, a stapling machine mounted adjacent said table and having a driving member, a first safety switch and an actuator therefor engageable by said driving member when shifted from its normal rest position for closing said switch, control means for said stapling machine to cause the driving of a staple into a work unit properly positioned in said pocket for stapling, a power drive for intermittently shifting said table, a second safety switch and an actuator therefor actuable by said drive when operating and about to move said table to close said switch, an electrical control device for said power drive, and a control circuit for said device including both of said switches for energizing said device to stop said table when said switches are closed simultaneously.

8. Stapling apparatus as described in claim 'I further including a second control switch in said staple energizing circuit and an actuator there for cooperating with said power drive for closing said second switch during normal operation of said drive in the interim between table movements.

9. Stapling apparatus comprising a conveyor having work receiving portions, a stapling machine mounted adjacent said conveyor and having a driving member with a normal rest position, a power drive for intermittently shifting said conveyor, a work ejector operated by said drive after stapling, control circuits for said power drive, said conveyor, and said stapling machine, a pair of switches in said conveyor control circuit, and actuators for said switches cooperating, respectively, with said stapler driving member and said power drive for stopping said conveyor in case said driving member is displaced from said rest position during operation when said drive reaches a position just prior to shifting of said conveyor thereby.

l0. Stapling apparatus comprising a conveyor having work receiving portions, a stapling machine mounted adjacent said conveyor and having a driving member with a normal rest position, a power drive for intermittentlyshifting said conveyor, a work ejector operated by said drive after stapling, control circuits for said power drive, conveyor, and stapling machine, a pair of switches in said stapling machine control circuit, and actuators for said switches cooperating, respectively, with said power drive and a work unit on said conveyor for energizing said stapling machine when said drive reaches such position that conveyor movement has stopped and said work unit is properly positioned relative to said machine for stapling.

11. Stapling apparatus as described in claim 10 in which said ejector is operatively connected to said drive for ejection of a work unit after stapling at the same time that stapling of another work unit occurs, said second switch actuator being engageable by said ejector directly for closing its associated switch.

12. Stapling apparatus as described in claim 10 in which said drive is provided with a crank and said conveyor has annularly arranged spaced projections cooperating with said crank to form a Geneva motion and stop mechanism, an edge portion of said crank being concentric about the axis of said crank for intermittent reception in intermediate spaces between said conveyor projections to lock said conveyor.

JOSEPH W. WIEGNER. EDWARD T. GILDA. JOHN H. KLASEY. BRADY E. BARNES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,378,488 Shepard May 17, 1921 

